KARACHI: The scientists, at a seminar, have urged the government to modernise agriculture sector for food security of the country and poverty alleviation.
The seminar was held at the Latif Ebrahim Jamal (LEJ) National Science Information Center, Karachi University, and was addressed by Prof Dr M Iqbal Choudhary, Director International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi (UoK), and Pakistan Biotechnology Information Center (PABIC); Sardar Atif Sultan, Chief Executive Officer, Cantonment Board Malir; Prof Dr Ghulam Sarwar Markhand, Director Date Palm Research Institute (DPRI) Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur and Prof Dr Abdul Razak Mahar, Chairman, Department of Botany Shah Abdul Latif University.
The objective of the seminar, organised by Pabic, was to raise awareness about the tremendous potential of biotechnology commercialisation for the sustainable development of the economy of Pakistan.
The experts pointed out that as compared to agriculture countries of the world yields per hectare in Pakistan are among the lowest, adding that Pakistan has low yield per acre due to traditional methods of cultivation and harvesting.
“Although the agriculture sector plays an essential role in Pakistan’s economy, the political governments have failed to strengthen this very important sector. Biotechnology can bring food security as the technology has great potential to revolutionize the agriculture sector in the country,” they added.
On the occasion, ISAAA Brief 51 was also launched by Sardar Atif Sultan. Dr Iqbal Choudhary said that Pakistan is rich in fertile land but unfortunately this is being wasted. The country is approaching towards drastic famine as irrigation lands are being reduced due to shortage of water.
He said that for the growing population it is important to introduce modern technologies for commercial farming, and modernize agriculture to achieve food security in Pakistan.
Provision of high quality seeds to farmers is the need of the hour for better yields, he said, adding that the promotion of commercial farming at the government level can increase the overall crops’ productivity in the country.
